Foldable and/or collapsible plastic/composite utility enclosure

ABSTRACT

A lid for a utility enclosure having a front end, a rear end, a right side, a left side, a top lid portion, and a bottom, defining an interior. Large reinforcement ribs are on an interior surface of the top lid portion and form a lattice-type structure. Small reinforcement ribs are mounted in spaces formed by the lattice type structure. The lid is made of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene and metal bars or rebar are embedded in the large reinforcement ribs. The metal bars are positioned near a bottom of the large reinforcement ribs and spaced above the bottom. The physical structure of the lid and the lid&#39;s composition, consisting essentially of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene, are constructed so that the lid withstands up to 33,750 pounds of force without breaking or being deformed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/224,155, filed on Apr. 7, 2021, which is a continuation inpart of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/663,391, filed on Oct. 25,2019 (U.S. Pat. No. 11,008,134, issued on May 18, 2021), which claimsthe benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/751,278, filed on Oct. 26, 2018, the disclosures of all of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to underground utility enclosures for providingprotection for below ground devices such as water meters, valves,telecom hardware, and the like and, more particularly, to a foldableand/or collapsible plastic/composite utility enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utility enclosures are used to protect buried meters, valves, andtelecom hardware and need to be capable of withstanding heavy loads thatmay be placed on the cover of the utility enclosure. Concrete utilityenclosures are commonly used in or near roadways and driveways sincethey are heavy duty and are capable of withstanding heavy loads placedon the cover. Concrete utility enclosures are formed by a wall ofconcrete that extends around the utility. A lip extends about the top ofthe utility enclosure in the interior of the utility enclosure. Thecover of the utility enclosure fits into the interior of the utilityenclosure and rests on the lip. The concrete lip provides sufficientsupport to the cover to enable the utility enclosure to withstand theforce of heavy loads.

Concrete utility enclosures present some disadvantages, however.Concrete utility enclosures are difficult to transport and install. Theyare bulky and take up space. During transport, concrete utilityenclosures are prone to being chipped, and significant amounts ofconcrete utility enclosures become non-usable because of damage incurredin transport. Installation of concrete utility enclosures is difficultbecause of the weight of the utility enclosures. Installation of aconcrete utility enclosure generally requires the effort of two peoplebecause the utility enclosures weigh in excess of two hundred poundseach. The weight of the concrete utility enclosures also presents somedanger of physical injury to the persons installing the utilityenclosure.

Plastic utility enclosures are known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,750 disclosesa plastic utility enclosure that is durable, lightweight, and capable ofbeing located in roadways or driveways and withstanding heavy loads.However, plastic utility enclosures also are bulky and take up spaceduring transportation. What is needed is a foldable utility enclosurethat takes up reduced space when folded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a foldable plastic/composite utility enclosure havinga first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and afourth side opposite the third side. Each of the sides has a first endand a second opposite end. The first end of the first side is connectedto the first end of the third side by means of a first hinge. The secondopposite end of the second side is connected to the second opposite endof the third side by means of a second hinge. The second opposite end ofthe first side is connected to the second opposite end of the fourthside by means of a third hinge. The first end of the second side isconnected to the first end of the fourth side by means of a fourthhinge.

The third side is constructed to rotate on the first and second hingesonly away from the first side. The fourth side is constructed to rotateon the third and fourth hinges only towards the first side. The thirdside and the fourth side are constructed to rotate until the first sideengages the second side and the foldable plastic/composite utilityenclosure is in a folded configuration. The folded plastic/compositeutility enclosure when in a folded configuration has only 15 to 20percent of the thickness compared to an unfolded configuration.

The first end of the first side and the first end of the second side arecurved. The first end of the third side is positioned slideably over thefirst end of the first side and the first end of the fourth side ispositioned slideably over the first end of the second side. The secondopposite end of the first side abuts against the second opposite end ofthe fourth side and the second opposite end of the third side abutsagainst the second opposite end of the second side. The second oppositeends are angled.

Each hinge consists of hinge members wherein each hinge member ispositioned in a housing. The housing has an open interior to help anchorthe housing in the ground. Each edge of each side has a plurality ofspaced-apart hinge members wherein hinge members on one side engage thehinge members on another side to form the hinge. One or more of thehinges may have a reversibly insertable locking pin that prevents thesides from rotating on the hinges and prevents the foldableplastic/composite utility enclosure from folding.

The foldable and/or collapsible plastic/composite utility enclosure ofthis invention can be made of any type of plastic or composite,preferably plastic imbedded with fibers such as carbon fibers, glassfibers, or ceramic fibers or imbedded with particles such as glassparticles. The use of plastic/composite and various openings or cutoutsmakes the utility enclosure light weight. The hinges allow the utilityenclosure to be folded flat for storage and transportation. The pairs ofsides are symmetrical which facilitates manufacturing. The foldableplastic/composite utility enclosure is ideal for housing undergroundutilities. However, it can be used to house or contain any desireddevice.

A preferred embodiment of a lid for the utility enclosure has a frontend, a rear end, a right side, a left side, a top lid portion, and abottom, defining an interior. First reinforcement ribs are on aninterior surface of the top lid portion. Metal bars are embedded in thefirst reinforcement ribs. The lid is made, preferably, of glassfiber-reinforced polypropylene.

The first reinforcement ribs form a lattice-type structure, with secondreinforcement ribs mounted in spaces formed by the lattice typestructure. The metal bars are positioned in the first reinforcement ribsnear a bottom of the first reinforcement ribs and are spaced above thebottom of the first reinforcement ribs. The top lid portion has a recesswith a lift pin therein. A lifting tool can be inserted into the recessand under the lift pin to lift the lid off a utility enclosure. The toplid portion may have bolt holes to bolt the lid to the utilityenclosure. The lid is constructed to withstand up to 33,750 pounds offorce without breaking or being deformed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, front, perspective view of the utility enclosure of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is perspective view from an exterior surface of a first side theutility enclosure.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view from an interior surface of the firstside.

FIG. 3A is perspective view from an exterior surface of a third side.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view from an interior surface of the thirdside.

FIG. 4 is a top, interior surface view of the second side of the utilityenclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top, interior surface view of the third side of the utilityenclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top, exterior surface view of the first side of the utilityenclosure.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of the utility enclosure laying withits first side on a horizontal plane in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 7B shows the utility enclosure of FIG. 7A in a semi-foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 7C shows the utility enclosure of FIG. 7A in a completely foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 8A shows an enlarged top view of an end of a second side and an endof the third side in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 8B show an enlarged top view of the end of the second side and anend of a fourth side in an unfolded configuration.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the same views as 8A and 8B but with the utilityenclosure in a semi-folded configuration.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the same views 8A and 8B but with the utilityenclosure in a completely folded configuration.

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of the utility enclosure with a topcover inserted in a top end of the utility enclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a top perspective view of the top cover having an openingwith a door.

FIG. 13 shows a bottom perspective view of the utility enclosure with abottom cover attached reversibly to a bottom end of the utilityenclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of corner with a hinge connecting twosides, with a locking pin inserted through the hinge members to preventrotation of the sides on the hinge and to prevent folding of thefoldable plastic utility enclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a lid for theutility enclosure of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the lid.

FIG. 17 shows a rear, bottom, perspective view of the lid.

FIG. 18 shows a front-end view of the lid.

FIG. 19 shows a rear, top, perspective, sectional view of the lid.

FIG. 20 shows a bottom perspective sectional view of the lid.

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of rebar positioned in a largereinforcement rib of the lid.

FIG. 22 illustrates a testing device for measuring the load strength ofthe lid as described in ANSI/SCTE 77.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the following description details the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of arrangement of the parts orthe illustrations disclosed herein, since the invention is capable ofother embodiments and of being practiced in various ways.

FIG. 1 is a top, front, perspective view of the utility enclosure 10 ofthe present invention. The utility enclosure 10 is rectangular and has afirst side 11, a second side 12 opposite the first side 11, a third side13, and a fourth side 14 opposite the third side 13. The first side 11and the second side 12 form a first pair of sides and the third side 13and the second side 14 form a second pair of sides. The utilityenclosure 10 has a top end 15, a bottom end 16, and an interior 17. Aninterior ledge 18 is formed on each side in the interior 17 near the topend 15 to support a cover (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ) or an extensionenclosure 80 (See FIG. 16 ). The edges of each side 11, 12, 13, and 14are joined together with hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23 to form therectangular utility enclosure 10, with a hinge in each corner of therectangle. The hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23 are made up of hinge members24. Each hinge member 24 has a central hole 25 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) forthe insertion of a hinge pin 26 to form the hinge, as is known in theart. The hinge members 24 are formed in open hollow housings 27, thehousings 27 having interiors 28.

First side 11 has a first end 30 and a second opposite end 31. Thesecond side 12 has a first end 32 and a second opposite end 33. Thethird side 13 has a first end 34 and a second opposite end 35. Thefourth side 14 has a first end 36 and a second opposite end 37. Thefirst ends 30 and 32 of the sides 11 and 12 (first pair of sides) formcurved corners which end with curved extensions 38. The second oppositeends 31 and 33 of sides 11 and 12 are also curved and form acute angles39. The first ends 34 and 36 of sides 13 and 14 (second pair of sides)and the second opposite ends 35 and 37 of sides 13 and 14 form obtuseangles 40. The first ends 34 and 36 of the sides 13 and 14 fit over thecurved extensions 38 of sides 11 and 12 and the first ends 34 and 36 maybe slightly curved to match the curved extensions 38. The secondopposite end 35 of the third side 13 forms an obtuse angle 40 between aninterior surface 45 (see FIG. 3B) of the third side 13 and an interiorsurface 42 (see FIG. 2B) of the first side 11. The obtuse angle 40extends from the top end 15 of the utility enclosure 10 to the bottomend 16 of the utility enclosure 10. The second opposite end 37 of thefourth side 14 forms an acute angle 39 between an interior surface 45Aof the fourth side 14 and an interior surface 42 of the first side 11and the acute angle 39 extends from the top end 15 of the utilityenclosure 10 to the bottom end 16 of the utility enclosure 10. Theangled edges of the second opposite ends 35 and 37 of sides 13 and 14abut the angled edges of the ends 31 and 33 of the sides 11 and 12. Thesides 11, 12, 13, and 14 may have openings 19 to accommodate wires,pipes, tubing, and the like.

FIG. 2A is perspective view from an exterior surface 41 of the firstside 11, separated from the utility enclosure 10, and FIG. 2B is aperspective view from an interior surface 42 of the first side 11. Thehinge members 24, the housings 27, and the interiors 28 can be seen inmore detail. Grooves or spaces 43 between the hinge members 24accommodate the housings 27 of the hinge members 24 that engage thefirst side 11 to complete the formation of the hinges 23.

FIG. 3A is perspective view from an exterior surface 44 of the thirdside 13 separated from the utility enclosure 10 and FIG. 3B is aperspective view from an interior surface 45. The hinge members 24, thehousings 27, and the interiors 28 can be seen in more detail. FIGS. 3Aand 3B further show latches 46 which lock the third side 13 to the firstside 11 to prevent the utility enclosure 10 from folding. Grooves 47between the hinge members 24 accommodate the housings 27 of the hingemembers 24 that engage the third side 13 to complete the formation ofthe hinges 20, 21, 22, 23.

The housings 27 strengthen the hinges 20, 21, 22, 23 and protect themfrom external forces. When the utility enclosure 10 is placed in theground to protect an underground device, soil, rocks, and cement canfill the interiors 28 of the housings 27 which will prevent the utilityenclosure 10 from moving or folding. The first side 11 and the secondside 12 are identical to each other and the third side 13 and the fourthside 14 are identical to each other with regard to hinging and foldingfeatures.

FIG. 4 is a top, interior surface view of the second side 12. FIG. 5 isa top, interior surface view of the third side 13. FIG. 6 is a top,exterior surface view of the first side 11. The utility enclosure 10 isformed by inserting the housings 27 on end 35 of the third side 13 inbetween the housings 27 on end 31 of the second side 12 and insertingthe housings 27 on end 34 of the third side 13 in between the housings27 on end 30 of the first side 11. The pins 26 are then inserted throughthe holes 25 to form the hinges 20, 21, 22, 23. The fourth side 14 isadded to sides 11 and 12 in the same way to complete the assembly of theutility enclosure 10.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of the utility enclosure 10 layingwith its first side 11 on a horizontal plane, shown by double arrow 50.The utility enclosure 10 is in an unfolded configuration. FIG. 7B showsthe utility enclosure 10 in a semi-folded configuration. FIG. 7C showsthe utility enclosure 10 in a completely folded configuration. As thesecond side 13 is rotated away from the first side 11 the fourth side 14is rotated towards the first side 11. The second side 12 moves inwardtowards the first side 11. In the folded configuration the utilityenclosure 10 has about 15% to 25% of the thickness, compared to theunfolded configuration, preferably about 20%.

FIG. 8A shows an enlarged top view of the end 33 of the second side 12and the end 35 of the third side 13 in an unfolded configuration. FIG.8B shows an enlarged top view of the end 32 of the second side 12 andthe end 36 of the fourth side 14 in an unfolded position. The utilityenclosure 10 cannot fold in a direction opposite to that shown in FIGS.9A, 9B, 10A, and 10C because the end 35 of side 13 abuts the end 33 ofside 12, shown by arrow 51, at an angle relative to sides 12 and 13. Theend 35 of side 13 cannot move around the end 33 of side 12. However, theend 36 of side 14 can move around end 32 of side 12, as shown in FIGS.9A, 9B, 10A, and 10C, because end 36 overlaps end 32, shown by arrow 52.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the same views as FIGS. 8A and 8B but with theutility enclosure 10 in a semi-folded configuration. Arrow 53 in FIG. 9Ashows the extent to which end 35 of side 13 has moved away from end 33of side 12. Arrow 54 in FIG. 9B shows the extent to which end 36 of side14 has moved over and around the curved extension 38 of end 32 of side12. FIGS. 10A and 10B show the same views as FIGS. 8A and 8B but withthe utility enclosure 10 in a completely folded configuration with thefirst side 11 engaging the second side 12. The folding of the utilityenclosure 10 is reversible and the utility enclosure 10 can be restoredto its unfolded configuration by pulling the first side 11 and thesecond side 12 apart.

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of the utility enclosure 10 with atop cover 60 inserted in the top end 15. The top cover 60 can havehandles or openings for removing the cover 60. FIG. 12 shows a topperspective view of a top cover 61 having an opening 62 with a door 63.The interior 17 of the utility enclosure 10 can be viewed and accessedby raising the door 63.

FIG. 13 shows a bottom perspective view of the utility enclosure 10 witha bottom cover 64 attached reversibly to the bottom end 16 by methodsknown in the art. The use of a bottom cover 64 allows the utilityenclosure 10 to be used as any type of utility enclosure for any type ofarticles.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of corner with a hinge connecting twosides, with a locking pin 70 inserted through the hinge members 24 toprevent rotation of the sides on the hinge and to prevent folding of thefoldable plastic/composite utility enclosure. An insertion hole 71 is onthe top end 15 to insert the locking pin 70. Each hinge member 24 has anupper groove 72 and a bottom groove 73 through which the locking pin 70passes. The locking pin 70 can be retained in an opening 74 in thebottom hinge member.

Top covers or lids for utility enclosures, under certain circumstances,may require sufficient reinforcement so that they may withstand severalthousand pounds of pressure. To achieve sufficient reinforcement the lidmay be made with strong plastic material, have a suitable thickness, andcontain rebar. FIG. 15 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of alid 100 for the utility enclosure of the present invention. The lid 100has a front end 101, and a rear end 102, a right side 103, a left side104, and a top lid portion 105, defining an interior 113 (see FIG. 16 ).There are two recesses 106 on the top lid portion 105. Within the recess106 is a lift pin 107. A lifting tool can be inserted into the recess106 and under the lift pin 107 to lift the lid 100 off a utilityenclosure. Each side 103 and 104 has bolt holes 108 for bolting the lid100 to the top of a utility enclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the lid 100. The lid 100 has an openbottom 109 with large size reinforcement ribs 110 attached to aninterior surface 116 of the top lid portion 105. The large sizereinforcement ribs 110 extend from the front end 101 to the rear end 102and from the right side 103 to the left side 104. The large sizereinforcement ribs 110 crisscross forming a lattice-type structure, withmedium size reinforcement ribs 111 and small size reinforcement ribs 112mounted in spaces formed by the lattice type structure. The large sizereinforcement ribs 110 are larger than the medium size reinforcementribs 111 and the small size reinforcement ribs 112, and the medium sizereinforcement ribs 111 are larger than the small size reinforcement ribs112.

FIG. 17 shows a rear, bottom, perspective view of the lid 100. FIG. 17further illustrates the interior surface 116 and the lattice-typestructure, with medium size and small size reinforcement ribs in thespaces of the lattice-type structure.

FIG. 18 shows a front-end view of the lid 100. FIG. 18 shows that thebottom 114 of the large reinforcement ribs 110 extends below the bottom109 of the lid 100. The large reinforcement ribs 110 must be ofsufficient size to sufficiently reinforce the lid to resist 33,750pounds of force.

FIG. 19 shows a rear, top, perspective, sectional view of the lid 100.The recess 106 is of sufficient size so that a lift tool can be insertedinto the recess 106. Lift pin 107 extends across the recess 106 so thata lift tool can be positioned under the lift pin 107 and can lift thelid 100 off the top of a utility enclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a bottom, perspective, sectional view of the lid 100. FIG.20 further shows the positioning of metal rods or rebar 115 in the largereinforcement ribs 110. The rebar 115 is near the bottom end 114 of thelarge reinforcement ribs 110 but is positioned above the bottom end 114.During the molding process of the lid 100 the rebar tends to settle tothe bottom 114 of non-solidified large reinforcement ribs 110. Thatsettling of the rebar 115 would prevent the rebar 115 from beingproperly encased in the large reinforcement ribs 110. To prevent thissettling a stud cradle is used in a mold to support the rebar 115 abovethe bottom 114 of the large reinforcements rib 110. When the lid 100 isremoved from the mold after curing the stud cradle remains in the mold.

FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of rebar 115 positioned in a largereinforcement rib 110 of the lid 100 near the bottom 114 of the largereinforcement rib 110 and spaced above the bottom 114. FIG. 21 furthershows a void 117 of a stud cradle which is removed from the lid 100 whenthe lid 100 is removed from the mold.

The lid 100 is made with a thermoplastic, preferably with polypropylenecontaining glass fiber and preferably in the amount of 15% to 40%. Glassfiber-reinforced polypropylene has improved dimensional stability,resistance to warpage, rigidity, and strength. Heat deflectiontemperature at 264 psi is increased up to 300° F. (150° C.) for 40%glass fiber reinforced polypropylene. Polypropylene's coefficient ofthermal expansion is cut in half with 40% glass reinforcement. Glassfiber-reinforced polypropylene has good impact strength, very good moldfilling capability, excellent stiffness, good dimensional stability, andlow creep under load at elevated temperatures (RTP Company, Winona,Minn.). The physical structure of the lid as described above and itscomposition consisting essentially of glass fiber-reinforcedpolypropylene are constructed so that the lid withstands up to 33,750pounds of force without breaking or being deformed.

FIG. 22 illustrates a testing device for measuring the load strength ofthe lid as described in ANSI/SCTE 77. The lid 100 is tested whilesitting on the interior ledge 18 of the utility enclosure 10. A rubberload plate 120 is centered on the top 105 of the lid 100 and a 10-inchby 10-inch by 1-inch steel load plate (Tier 15) or 10-inch by 20-inch by1-inch steel load plate (Tier 22) 121 is centered on the rubber plate120. A load frame 124 is centered over the top portion 105 and ahydraulic load device 123 engages the 1-inch steel load plate 121.Increasing force, perpendicular to the top lid portion 105, is appliedto a center of the steel plate 121 until the lid 100 bends or isdeformed. Linear measurement gauges 125 and 126 are mounted to ameasurement gauge mounting arm 127 to measure the amount of displacementto the top 105 of lid 100.

The foregoing description illustrates and describes the disclosure.Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferredembodiments but, it is to be understood that the preferred embodimentsare capable of being formed in various other combinations,modifications, and environments and are capable of changes ormodifications within the scope of the invention concepts as expressedherein, commensurate with the above teachings and/or the skill orknowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described herein aboveare further intended to explain the best modes known by applicant and toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure in such, orother, embodiments and with the various modifications required by theparticular applications or uses thereof. Accordingly, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also,it is intended that the appended claims be construed to includealternative embodiments. It will be further understood that variouschanges in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts whichhave been described and illustrated above in order to explain the natureof this invention may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the principle and scope of the invention as recited inthe following claims.

We claim:
 1. A foldable enclosure comprising: a first side, a secondside opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side oppositethe third side, each of said sides having a first end and a secondopposite end, the first end of the first side connected to the first endof the third side; the second opposite end of the second side connectedto the second opposite end of the third side; the second opposite end ofthe first side connected to the second opposite end of the fourth side;and the first end of the second side connected to the first end of thefourth side, wherein the first end of the third side at a top of thefoldable enclosure overlaps the first end of the first side at the topof the foldable enclosure and the first end of the fourth side at thetop of the foldable enclosure overlaps the first end of the second sideat the top of the foldable enclosure when the foldable enclosure is in afolded position.
 2. The foldable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the thirdside and the fourth side are rotatable until the first side engages thesecond side in the folded position.
 3. The foldable enclosure of claim1, wherein the third side rotates only away from the first side and thefourth side rotates only towards the first side when the foldableenclosure is moved from an unfolded position to the folded position. 4.The foldable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first end of the firstside is connected to the first end of the third side by means of a firsthinge; the second opposite end of the second side is connected to thesecond opposite end of the third side by means of a second hinge; thesecond opposite end of the first side is connected to the secondopposite end of the fourth side by means of a third hinge; and the firstend of the second side is connected to the first end of the fourth sideby means of a fourth hinge.
 5. The foldable enclosure of claim 4,wherein at least one of the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge, orfourth hinge includes a single hinge pin.
 6. The foldable enclosure ofclaim 5, wherein at least one of the first hinge, second hinge, thirdhinge, or fourth hinge includes a locking pin.
 7. The foldable enclosureof claim 1, wherein the foldable enclosure is formed from a compositematerial.
 8. The foldable enclosure of claim 1, further comprising aremovable lid.
 9. The foldable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the lid isformed from a composite material.
 10. The foldable enclosure of claim 9,wherein the composite material is a glass-fiber reinforcedthermoplastic.
 11. The foldable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the lidincludes interior side reinforcement ribs and metal bars embedded in thereinforcement ribs.
 12. The foldable enclosure of claim 11, wherein thefirst reinforcement ribs form a lattice-type structure, with secondreinforcement ribs mounted in spaces formed by the lattice typestructure.
 13. The foldable enclosure of claim 8, wherein the lid isconstructed to withstand up to 33,750 pounds of force without breakingor being deformed.
 14. The foldable enclosure of claim 8, wherein theremovable lid comprises a recess with a lift pin therein.